Chapter 138
The number ofbatants alone was about 500.
Eugenes forces had finally grown to a number that could be acknowledged as a true army. And it wasnt only in Brantia either. Such a number of troops could be considered an overwhelming force in any kingdom of the continent, including the Caylor Kingdom. In addition, the elite force of thirty beowulf warriors possessed a destructive power greater than even one hundred heavy cavalrymen.
In other words, Eugene had finally met the minimum requirements to be a ruler. When such a powerful force arrived in front of Brighton, the city immediately fell into chaos. All of the citys guards and mercenaries were deployed to the walls, and the mayor, as well as the guild leaders of the city, looked down at Eugenes army with fear and shock.
How could they have lost already? How many days has it even been since they left our walls?
I thought that the Fransil family was powerful. But it seems like they werent such a big deal, after all, were they?
Oh, this isnt the time to be worrying about the Fransil family. That vampire is after our city!
Thats why we shouldnt have given them our citys g. Why didnt you listen to me?!
What? You were the one who said it would be good to establish a harmonious rtionship with the Fransil family!
What did you say? You little punk!
Even though they were guild leaders, they were simply ordinary humans who possessed a little more money and powerpared to others. They were simple and ignorant. The bickering between the guild leaders quickly escted, and soon, they were about to leap at each other.
Everyone, be quiet! An army targeting our city is at our front doors! What do you n to achieve by ming each other!?! the mayor shouted, unable to bear the chaos any longer. The guild leaders finally stopped their bickering.
The mayor continued. Whats the use of arguing about spilled milk?! Were already behind ining up with a n to deal with that army and the vampire Jan Eugene.
Whats there to n? Lets just grit our teeth and hold on. It must be expensive to feed such arge army. If we manage to resist for fifteen days, they will starve and go away on their own. The one who spoke was a guild leader who possessed the blood of an orc.
Garlish. Cant you even count? Look at them. Even at a nce, they have more than twice the number of our troops, a guild leader responded with a sigh.
Defending a siege is much easier than mounting one. And if we dont have enough soldiers, we can mobilize the ves, Garlish said.
Well be lucky if the ves dont stab us in the back. And its not like we have extra food lying around. Even if they block the gates for ten days, we will be in trouble. How do you suppose we hang on? the mayor said bitterly.
Uh Garlish was left speechless.
Brighton was a fairlyrge city, and the rich folks of the city, including the guild leaders and the mayor, all possessed their own manors. The problem, however, was that all of their manors were located out of the city. They themselves wouldnt starve, since they had their umted wealth and food, but the citizens of the city would surely face a crisis after about ten days. Ack of food would likely lead to a riot. If that happened, then they would be faced with enemies on both sides.
We must find a solution as soon as possible. We need to decide whether to fight or not. If we fight, we fight, and if we dont, how will we appease the member of the Dark n?
Hmm
Hrmm
The guild leaders groaned as they fell into contemtion.
Why dont we listen to their demands first? We wont get anywhere by simply putting our heads together, one of the guild leadersmented.
The mayor thought for a moment before nodding. Lets do that.
The mayor and the guild leaders agreed to figure out the opponents demands first. They waited on the walls while looking down at Eugenes army. However, the day turned into night and not a single soul left Eugenes camp, which was located only a few hundred meters from the city.
***
Howical, that a city like that doesnt have much food, Eugene said. He decided to set up camp close to the city and stand by. As it turned out, the City of Brighton would face an issue with food long before his army would. After all, there were more than 5,000 residents in the City of Brighton. Moreover, Eugene possessed a huge advantage in the number of troops and their quality.
This is the result of two armies mobilizing one after another. Both Lord Riwad and Lady Lorraine, Lanslo said.
Galfredikughed. Kuhaha! There were more than 600 mercenaries split among the two armies, so they must have taken absolutely everything in terms of supplies. They must have been in bliss when selling the goods, though theyre probably regretting it now.
The two knightsughed while sharing gazes.
Eugene was also pleased with the unexpected stroke of fortune. But rather than luck, it was a chain reaction caused by Baron Riwad and Lorraine. It was extremely rare for a city to provide mercenaries and supplies to multiple armies within a month. But Brighton had supplied the food and supplies for both Baron Riwad and Lorraines troops to consume for a month and fifteen days, respectively.
You cant start a war without silver, but you cant continue it if you only have silver, Eugene said.
Oh! That sounds like a proverb, Master, Galfredikmented.
A perfect description that gets straight to the heart of the strategy, Lanslo chimed in. Both knights had no doubts about Eugenes strength and power, but they had been slightly anxious regarding hispetency in tactics and strategy. But now, the two knights were truly impressed.
Anyway, lets wait them out for a few days, Eugene said.
Good. Well, why dont we send mercenaries to a nearby vige to get some food? Galfredik asked.
Thats a good idea. Send the beowulfs. Mercenaries might cause idents, Lanslo said.
Eugene responded, I will send one beowulf to a unit of mercenaries.
All right.
Hehe! Got it.
Eugenes orders were quickly disseminated through Galfredik and Lanslo. Soon, more than one hundred mercenaries and four beowulfs went on their way. However, even with their absence, Eugenes army still numbered more than 400. It was absurd for Brightons army to even think about opening their gates and attacking since they had less than 200 troops.
However
That night, five or six figures crawled down Brightons walls in a quick, stealthy manner. The shadows then ran toward Eugenes camp. They were much quicker than ordinary humans.
***
Master, Galfredik called out after silently entering Eugenes tent like a shadow.
Eugenes eyes glinted coldly as he nodded. Yes. We have some uninvited guests.
Although he was capable of using his vampiric powers during the day, their powers during the day could not bepared during the night. Galfredik had noticed the presence of invaders a moment earlier, while Eugene had recognized them a few minutes ago. They were quickly approaching the camp from Brighton.
The two had been in their armor since it was wartime. They quickly picked up their weapons and headed in the direction of the uninvited guests. The two pairs of red eyes saw through the thick darkness and observed the five shadows.
As if noticing Eugenes presence, the shadows slowed down and continued approaching with their hands raised to the sky. One of them was holding a white g.
With all due respect, please dont attack. We would like to speak with you, one of the shadows said.
Talking? Galfrdik growled. The shadows cautiously approached and revealed themselves using the light of their torches. They bowed in unison.
Knight y of the Rivoles n gives his greetings to the esteemed members of the family from afar, a female vampire spoke politely. She was dressed in a surcoat with the crest of a crescent moon atop chainmail. The five vampires knelt down on one knee following the knights words.
Kieh? Theyre all members of the Nights Tribe, Mirian fussed.
It was Eugenes third encounter with vampires since arriving in Brantia. However, his voice was as cold as ice despite their polite greetings. Rivoles n. Do you happen to know who the lord of Mungard is?
Ah! If you are referring to Lord Markus of Mungard, we have heard about him from time to time from the one we serve. With all due respect, what is the rtionship between the two of you and Lord Markus? y asked in a slightly brighter voice.
But the faces of the five vampires paled after hearing Eugenes answer.
He came at me, and I smashed him.
!
Now, he is obedient. We cooperate. Eugene continued.
I-I see.
Why? Do you want to get revenge since youre from the same n? Eugene asked.
No, its not like that. Although we are from the same n, as long as they didnt send a blood request, we will not meddle in the affairs of other families. I-Im sure your esteemed selves had valid reasons. y hastily denied Eugenes words.
Galfredik smirked. Theyre easier to talk to than those punks from Mungard, Master.
It seems so, Eugene responded.
The two had changed to speaking in thenguage of the Caylor Kingdom. y cautiously spoke, It seems that the two of you are from the Kingdom of Caylor. If its morefortable for you, please feel free to speak in thatnguage.
Hoooh.
Vampires were crafty creatures. However, being crafty wasnt the same as being intelligent. Eugene felt rather impressed with ys proficiency in thenguage of the Caylor Kingdom.
Ah! The one I served knew thenguages of several kingdoms. I learned thenguage of the Caylor Kingdom from them as well, y hurriedly exined.
Hmm. I see. But what is it that you want to speak about? Eugene asked.
The five vampires quickly bowed once again before speaking.
Please help our master, Banneret Randolph!
What?
***
The attitude of the vampires remained unchanged even after they entered Eugenes tent. Although Eugene hadnt revealed his identity as an Origin, the vampires were extremely polite toward Eugene and Galfredik.
So, youre saying that the one named Randolph was transformed into a death knight? Eugene asked.
T-thats right. However, we have no idea how they cursed Sir Randolph, the vampires responded. A banneret was of a considerably high status in the vampire society. The five vampires appeared very surprised at how casually Eugene referred to their master. Even if they belonged to a different family and n, it was natural to acknowledge the position and titles of other vampires. There was only one possible exnation for Eugenes nonchnt attitude.
High lord. Maybe even higher.
y lowered her posture even further. Although vampires didnt sweat, she felt as if her back was drenched.
So where is this Randolph now? Eugene asked.
y responded, Since the day he turned into a death knight, he has been roaming the catbs and sewers of Brighton.
Have you searched for him? Galfredik asked.
ys expression darkened in an instant. Naturally, we attempted to search for him. But Brighton is a very old citythe underground of the city is like abyrinth. Eventually, we told the mayor the truth. Arge search party was dispatched. However y paused for a moment.
She bit her lips and lowered her head before continuing. No one returned. There were even three knights like me with the search party
Hmm. Eugene was slightly surprised. Although vampire knights were no match for him, a single vampire knight was still capable of rivalling two holy knights. Moreover, their abilities would be amplified in the darkness of the underground. Nevertheless, three of such knights werent able to return from their search. It meant that the death knight was quite formidable.
Eugene fell into thought and stroked his chin. ys expression turned even darker.
Even a high lord is contemting. Ha
y was disappointed. And although she didnt know, an annoying, frightened insect was buzzing around Eugenes ear and shrieking with fear. S-sir. Pwease, just tell them to get lost. Im scared of ghosts. Kieeeeek!
Eugene disregarded Mirians poor attempt at acting cute and shoved her into his leather pocket. He turned toward the vampires.
If you get, you should give, right? Eugene spoke.
What? y raised her face.
Eugene revealed his fangs in a cold smile and continued. If I take care of this Randolph, you will help me take Brighton.
!
The vampires were surprised by Eugenes request. Galfredikughed loudly.
Kuhaha! You guys are lucky. Markus was only given such a chance after he was clobbered like a dog. Kuhehe!
The eyes of the vampires grew bigger with shock after hearing Galfrediks wild, violentugh. They were filled with hope of saving their master, but at the same time, they were worried that they might have made the biggest mistake of their lives.